The Chairman of the ECOWAS Trade Liberalization Scheme (ETLS) Task Force, Dr. Mohamed Ibn Chambas, led a delegation to The Gambia and Senegal from March 9 to 15, 2025. This mission aimed to address obstacles hindering intra-community trade among ECOWAS Member States.
The delegation engaged in strategic meetings with political authorities, including ministers and customs agency heads, to evaluate measures facilitating the free movement of goods and people. Consultations were also held with private sector representatives to incorporate their concerns into efforts to strengthen regional trade.
A field visit was conducted along the Banjul-Farafenni corridor, which includes the Senegambia Bridge—an important infrastructure for regional connectivity. Discussions highlighted issues such as difficulties faced by Gambia’s ETLS-approved products in accessing the Senegalese market and challenges related to border restrictions and harassment.
Dr. Chambas commended the cooperative relations between The Gambia and Senegal, evidenced by regular meetings of the Gambia-Senegal Joint Commission. He emphasized enhancing dialogue and implementing solutions, urging both nations to automate border customs posts and operationalize SIGMAT for efficient trade flow.
He also suggested establishing an instant alert mechanism for addressing trade disruptions effectively through coordinated responses from road operators and authorities.
The mission concluded with a memorandum of understanding signed between the ETLS Task Force and authorities from The Gambia and Senegal, marking progress in regional trade integration within ECOWAS.
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